Report: U.S. Spied On Israeli Leader During Iran Nuclear Talks

The United States spied on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the Iran nuclear negotiations despite a pledge by the White House to stop spying on allies, the Wall Street Journal reported December 29.

Two years ago, President Barack Obama promised to limit spying on U.S. allies after embarassing revelations by intelligence leaker Edward Snowden about widespread online surveillance by the National Security Agency against German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other friendly leaders.

But the United States continued its surveillance of Netanyahu out of concern that Israel itself was spying on the nuclear negotiations with the goal of derailing the effort, senior U.S. officials told the Wall Street Journal.

"Going dark on Bibi? Of course we wouldn't do that," an official told the business newspaper.

Netanyahu was a vehement opponent of the nuclear negotiations, which ended in success in July. The deal between Iran and world powers is currently being implemented.

The White House did not deny the Journal report December 29. The Israeli embassy in Washington had no comment.